Topic: Tascam DR100mkii Review

[phaedarus]

Hmm, my experience with rechargeable batteries (which was a long time ago) wasn't the best. Everything from diminished capacity after several recharges, fluid leaks (which could damage the unit) and overall reliabilityh as led me to view them with suspicion. The fact that the DR100 MK2 has a battery pack specifically designed for it does give me piece of mind. Rechargeable batteries may have improved since although I only use batteries for the TV remote and fire alarm (I had no idea Energizer now sells rechargeable batteries! That seems to go against their business model of profiting off of consumables.)

You're both right that there are deals to be had - but only if you live in the United States. Here in Canada, ordering from the US doesn't give us much of a discount after paying the 13% sales tax (Ontario) and the tariffs imposed upon Customs Canada; even for used items. This is the reason why cross-border shopping is so popular among Canadians because the savings, especially for everyday items like groceries and clothing, are pretty significant. Unfortunately, I'm not among those who live close to the border to be able to take advantage of it.

I've tried searching high and low on ebay and craig's list for used units like Sony's PCM-DB50 but there are almost none to be found. It seems no one here sells their sony digital recorders which, I guess is a testament to how good they are. On the rare occasion that I do stumble upon one, it's priced similar to retail; perhaps on the assumption that the seller thinks he or she is doing you a favor by saving on taxes.

To get an idea on the vast price differences we pay, despite the fact that the USD and CND are pretty much on par with each other, here's a Visteka.com and Musiciansfriend.com comparison:

http://vistek.ca/search/sony%20pcm.aspx

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/search/search.jsp?sB=r&question=sony+pcm

[Todd R]

FWIW, my experience many years back was that NiCD batteries were pretty useless.  NiMH batteries are much better, and to me, the latest "pre-charged" NiMH batteries (aka, low self discharge NiMH, hybrid NiMH, ready-to-use NiMH -- which started with the Sanyo Eneloops) are great.

About 10-12 years ago, I picked up some NiMH AA's and a battery charger from Radio Shack.  Lasted about two charges, maybe a bit more.  The problem isn't/wasn't with the batteries but instead with crap chargers. 

Right after that, I picked up a high quality charger from thomasdistributing.com.  Since then, for the past 10 years, my experience has been great.  I don't know whether the Duracell and Energizer chargers are crap too.  Probably that is their new business model -- get people to try rechargeable AA's with their crap charger, the batteries won't last at all, and then people will say rechargeable batteries are crap, I'm sticking with my disposable alkaline AAs.

As much as I said that Duracell and Energizer battery/charger combos were widely available (to make life easy), I really personally would recommend getting something like a MAHA smart charger from thomasdistributing (which are only $15 or so) and a set of 4 NiMH AAs for another $10.  It would be $25 well spent, and probably much better than the Energizer brand.

Also, fwiw and ymmv, but I think NiMH is a much more reliable, robust, and durable rechargeable battery technology compared to the Li-ion or Li-poly rechargeables that are used in the DR100 mkII.  Li-ion and esp Li-poly are much more prone to failure.  Though again, a good charging circuit probably helps loads, and the DR100 may have that.

[eman]

I've found that it is a good idea to at least upgrade the charger that comes with the batteries every once in awhile, they did in fact suck before and they are getting better. You do have to pay attention to what you are doing and NiMH treat you righteously. You have to put two fairly well discharged batteries in at a time and make sure that you see the light go on and stay on for a good long while (but if they don't turn off by the next day you may have trouble as well, could be the charger or the batteries). I haven't ever had one leak yet and if they are properly charged they may actually go to the rated 1.45 Ah which is way better than standard alkaline.
NIMH are recyclable, which alkalines aren't. With an M10, there's no reason not to use NiMH at all. Really. Unless you like to poison your descendants on principle, which I know some do.

[aaronji]

Also, fwiw and ymmv, but I think NiMH is a much more reliable, robust, and durable rechargeable battery technology compared to the Li-ion or Li-poly rechargeables that are used in the DR100 mkII.  Li-ion and esp Li-poly are much more prone to failure.  Though again, a good charging circuit probably helps loads, and the DR100 may have that.

I was under the impression that the lithium polymers are substantially more robust than the lithium ions at this point.  The reliability is good too, I think (they use them in a ton of portable electronics and cordless tools).  I guess the important thing is that the device and charger are designed for them (like having a good cut-off circuit)...

I am also a big fan of the low self-discharge NiMHs, though.  As you mentioned, they're a large step up from previous types.  And another great thing about "standard" size NiMHs, like AAs, is that if you forget them/forget to charge them/lose one/etc., you can probably find some alkalines without too much trouble.

[hermannhesse70]

Hey guys - couple questions concerning the MKII:

Anybody had any problems using the LINE 2 for mics (I'm using CA-14)?  For the last few months I've been using the mics with a PFA w/the XLR and all has been well.  Only complaints given I have to use the high gain settings for the field recording I've been doing with the budget mics is that there is a bit of noise, but not unacceptable.  I was also questioning battery life using the phantom power with PFA vs. with a battery box. All of a sudden I decided to try the LINE 2 input with the mics, first with no battery box and got absolutely nothing no matter what gain setting (H,L,M - wheel to 10), then with the battery box and still got VEEEERY little and only on all of the highest possible gain settings.  I have tried my CA-14 omnis and cards as well just to be sure that it wasn't the mics.  I was expecting that the mics would work okay even without the battery box, but what's up with the poor performance.  I fear the jack has been compromised somehow, OR - that I may be a total idiot  .  Either way, I wish I had tested all features when I first bought the thing.

Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[aaronji]

^^^  With line-in, you'll need to record something pretty loud to get decent levels.  Especially since I am under the impression that the CA14s are fairly low sensitivity.  If you want to make sure the jack is working properly, you could feed it a line level signal from a CD player or something...

[hermannhesse70]

^^^  With line-in, you'll need to record something pretty loud to get decent levels.  Especially since I am under the impression that the CA14s are fairly low sensitivity.  If you want to make sure the jack is working properly, you could feed it a line level signal from a CD player or something...

I guess REALLY loud.  I'm talkin' yelling into the mics with all gain options maxed out and barely getting anything.  I will run that test though, with a CD player, etc.  The mics operate as I assumed they would using the PFA and XLRs, and assumed it would work similarly through line 2 w/PIP or battery box, but this is worlds different.  Essentially, running these mics through a PFA and into the mic in XLRs should be virtually the same as with the line in plus battery box, I'd expect.  I really only got the PFA because set up and portability is tidier than taping/dangling a battery box for use with line 2.  Isn't the whole deal just properly powering the mics?  ...And yes, I got this unit vs. say, an M10 because of the XLR option, enabling me to use much better mics in the near future without having to use an external pre, etc..

OOooo, dang.  Back to me being a total noob/idiot.  Yeah... not LINE 2 not the same as mic in.  Oh well.  Live and learn.   

[Kyle]

Late coming to this one, but really an excellent rundown of this recorder. I have one question.  The manual indicates that if using the digital input the sampling rate of the recorder must match the incoming signal's sample rate or you will receive an error. This leads me to believe that the recorder does not re-clock the incoming signal (bit -perfect recording). Has this been confirmed? I read all 19 pages and I if I missed this then of course my apologies for re-covering old ground. Thanks!

[dogmusic]

The manual indicates that if using the digital input the sampling rate of the recorder must match the incoming signal's sample rate or you will receive an error.

If you haven't set the recorder into HS mode, you can't record at 96 kHz. [See manual page 25.]  That's even if you are recording with the internal mics, or line-in.

If your external digital equipment was outputting 96 kHz, but you were only in STD mode, you might get this error message.

[guyburns]

I like the look, functions, sound and price of this recorder, but… does it offer recording on a second channel that is reduced by a certain amount of dB, as offered by the DR-40 and PMD 661?

[eman]

Why not just run it at a reasonable level and then you don't have to sacrifice stereo recording? A completely useless feature if you ask me.

[fmaderjr]

Why not just run it at a reasonable level and then you don't have to sacrifice stereo recording? A completely useless feature if you ask me.

I agree. Plus the PMD-661 does not have this feature in stereo. I think I read a post that it has this for mono, but that is a REALLY useless feature.

[noahbickart]

Has anyone had any experience using a dr-100mkii as a bit bucket in conjunction with a mini-me? I'd love to get feedback if so.

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Bummed we never had a good line in comp - that I am aware of - vs. the m10.  Or vs. the 7x2.

[Karl]

My experience was that the line in on the Tascam vs the input on a UA5 (digimod) was very similar. If that helps any as a point of reference.